Back to jobs

Chair, Blackpool Museum

Job description

Blackpool has an ambition to create a Museum which will put Blackpool centre-stage as we reveal the town's lasting influence on the nation's sense of fun and entertainment. 

It will celebrate the greatest showtown on earth that captures the spirit of this amazing place and will make audiences see it in a whole new light, building upon the significant regeneration work which has taken place in recent years.

It will be fun, participatory and inclusive, appealing to non-traditional museum visitors and seasoned museum goers. It will feature the first permanent displays in a UK public museum on circus, magic, variety, and ballroom dance - filled with 800+ objects from Blackpool's internationally significant and extensive collections and those on loan from our national partners, including the Victoria and Albert Museum.

It will promote and reference a range of personal stories, highlighting how Blackpool has touched the lives of millions: the stories of visitors, entertainers, celebrities, and residents. It has been specifically designed to be like no other museum and will be situated on Blackpool's famous Golden Mile.

Chair, 'Showtown', the museum of fun and entertainment
Blackpool

We are at a particular exciting stage in the evolution of this £13m project, with the funding now secured and plans to open for the season of 2021 confirmed.

We seek to appoint a Chair, who will work collaboratively with Blackpool Council on the appointment of the additional board members and on the appointment of the Museum's first chief executive, who will play a key role in the arrangements to establish the new charitable company, helping to build the foundations for its future success.

You would play a key role in shaping the long-term sustainable future of Blackpool Museum, be able to horizon scan, broker new introductions and effectively mobilise new opportunities. You will act as an ambassador and the public face of the charity in partnership with the CEO, the trustees and the patrons. You will support the CEO and ensure that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the entire team at the Museum to achieve our strategic objectives.

Closing date: Monday 21 October
Preliminary interviews with Harris Hill in Blackpool: week commencing 4 November
Final Panel Interviews with Blackpool Council: week commencing 18 November

If you are potentially interested in this unique and high profile opportunity, which is an integral part of the regeneration of Blackpool Central and would welcome an informal and confidential conversation, please contact our advising consultant Philip Nelson, Director at Harris Hill on 020 7820 7314 or via email at philip.nelson@harrishill.co.uk.

To view the appointment brief click here